Chapter 1305: Surrounded by Fans

The French Open, also known as Roland Garros, has one of the most special rules among the four Grand Slam tournaments:

players are not allowed to train at Roland Garros before the tournament officially begins.

What does this rule mean? It means literally that before the start of the Grand Slam, including during the qualifying rounds, all players are prohibited from training at the competition venue.

However, the players need to adapt to the venue. What should they do? It’s simple. Just follow the official arrangements of the event.

The tournament will arrange field training and field adaptation time for all players on the draw three times a week, each time for one hour.

Here, the specific venue arrangements are different and particular.

Roland Garros has three large stadiums, namely Phillippe-Chatrier Stadium, Susan-Lenglen Stadium and Stadium No. 1.

Generally speaking, the top eight seeds have three chances to practice twice on the Philippe Chatrier Court and once on the Suzanne Lenglen Court.

Depending on the specific situation, the players apply themselves, and the tournament organizing committee will make arrangements based on the application. Not all players' requests can be approved.

In other words, high-ranking seeded players will have the opportunity to train at three large stadiums because they are more likely to play at these stadiums in official competitions; unseeded ordinary players will go to the other 17 competition venues for training because these will be the main venues for their competitions.

So, what is the reason for such a special regulation? First, the venue is limited.

The other three Grand Slams all have dedicated training grounds outside the competition venues. Wimbledon even opened a new training ground five kilometers away from the All England Club.

However, the Paris City Hall rejected Roland Garros' request to expand, resulting in insufficient venues to meet the players' training needs when the qualifying rounds were underway.

Second, site maintenance.

The maintenance of both clay and grass is very complex and difficult. Before the official competition begins, the organizing committee needs to spend a lot of time on maintenance.

In fact, Wimbledon also has a corresponding tradition——

Because the grass is difficult to maintain, and in order to ensure that the stadium remains intact and beautiful when the tournament opens, players are prohibited from training on the center court.

After all, the characteristics of grass courts are that once stepped on, they will be worn out, and once worn out, they cannot be restored, which seriously damages the visual effect. It is necessary to wait until all the events are over, remove all the green grass, replant it, and re-mow it. This is a long and arduous process.

Therefore, Wimbledon also has a special tradition: on the first day of competition, the first player to step onto the center court is the defending champion of the men's singles, opening the tournament.

On the second day of competition, the first player to step onto the center court was the defending champion of the women's singles.

In other words, no one is allowed to enter the centre court of Wimbledon before the tournament officially kicks off, and the defending champion's debut is tantamount to kicking off Wimbledon's annual event, with his feet stepping onto the flawless green grass field under brilliant lights.

This tradition has become an honor, an extra reward given to the defending champions.

If the defending champion is absent, the tournament's top seed will take his place.

However, Wimbledon prohibits court adaptation on Centre Court and Court 1. Correspondingly, the tournament's practice courts are fully open to players.

Roland Garros is the only one among the four Grand Slams that completely bans all training and then makes unified arrangements by the organizing committee.

But the key is that the players need training, they need to adapt to the climate and environment of Paris, and they need to adapt to the pace of Grand Slam games.

Relying solely on three opportunities to adapt to the venue, one hour each, is far from enough for preparing for the event.

Therefore, every player who comes to Paris to compete will, without exception, conduct daily training in a private club outside Roland Garros.

Because of this, qualifiers often have more advantages at the French Open, after all, they have already withstood three rounds of tests here.

The chance of an upset has increased slightly.

It is also because of this that fans have the opportunity to get closer to the players. When the players leave the crowded Roland Garros, only a small number of hardcore fans know the training venues chosen by the players, and the chance of having a private conversation naturally soars.

This is the situation at this moment.

Although this is Gao Wen's first time participating in the French Open, it is not his first time to come to Paris to compete, nor is it his first time to come to Paris to train.

In this city, Gao Wen already has a small group of fans. As time goes by, more and more fans are waiting at the door of the private club.

Maybe, on social networks, there is overwhelming pressure, but in real life, everywhere you look, there are cute faces.

"Gawain, Gawain Gawain Gawain! I really like you."

"Welcome to Roland Garros."

"Whatever the outcome, we support you."

“I love watching you play.”

"Gawain, win it all! You deserve it!"

Bustling with people.

twitter.

A group of figures appeared in the sight, not many, only about thirty or forty people, but they blocked the exit alley of the private club.

Looking around, most of the people are young people, their faces are filled with enthusiasm and excitement, and they are expressing their support with voice, actions and expressions.

A second ago, Gao Hongli was still thinking about how to start the conversation.

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The next second, Gao Hongli temporarily put his thoughts aside, played the role of agent and bodyguard, took the lead and helped maintain order.

Gao Wen also slowed down his pace and tried his best to meet the requirements of the fans at the scene.

His conversation with Gao Hongli can be put aside for a moment. These fans have been waiting here for a long time, and he needs to thank them for their support and attention.

Signatures, photos, hugs.

It's just basic courtesy, but the most important thing is to look each person in the eye, respond with your eyes, and remember deeply every lovely face in front of you.

pity.

Although Gawain had slowed down his pace, the surging crowd around him seemed to have no end in sight. In the end, he had no way of satisfying everyone's wishes. Amid the laughter and cheering, Gawain stayed for a full twenty minutes before he apologized repeatedly and said goodbye to the enthusiastic fans.

"Thanks."

"Thanks!"

Gao Wen expressed his gratitude again and again, and with the support of Gao Hongli, he took a step forward and finally left the door of the private club.

"Gawain!"

The heart-wrenching cries still came from behind, and Gao Wen was trying to stay reluctantly.

Gawain turned around and waved, responding with a smile, but he did not stop.

At this time, the noise had died down a little, and the shouts and conversations gradually became clearer.

"Gawain, wait!"

"etc!"

"Him! Please stay for him. He has been waiting for you here for four hours."

The hurried words revealed a bit of anxiety, and even a hint of crying, some helplessness and some urgency.

Gawain's steps finally stopped.

(End of this chapter)